Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-14

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The graph below gives information about the percentage of the population in four Asian countries living in cities from 1970 to 2020, with predictions for 2030 and 2040. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

 

Student answer (Band 5.0)

The lines graph depicts the data about the ratio of the population in four Asian countries residing in cities from 1970to 2020with prediction for two years (2030 and2040).

Overall,it is crystal clear that there are several fluctuating changes in every year.Maximum population will be by Malaysia,whereas least population will be in Thailand.

To begin with, Malaysia , in 1970 its ratio was 30%,while in 1990 it’s ratio becomes at 40%and reach at the peak of 70%in 2010 ,whereas in final year it’s ratio will become around 80%.Moreover,the ratio of the population living in Thailand, in 1970 was less than 20% and in 1990 it’s ratio was approximately 20%,whereas in 2010 it’s population percentage was 20%and will inclide and will become 30% in2040 .

Moving toward further details, in Indonesia the ratio of the population in 1970 was less than 20% and the ratio skyrocket and became at 40%in 2010 from 2010 to 2030 the was increasing by 5% ,while in 2040 it’s population ratio will become around 60%.Furthermore,the ratio of living individual in Philippine’s was 30% in 1970 the data was fluctuated and became at 35% in 2010, at end in final year it’s ratio will become around 45%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The student attempts to address the task by summarizing the main features of urbanization rates in four Asian countries from 1970 to 2040. An overview is attempted, stating that there are fluctuating changes and identifying Malaysia and Thailand as the highest and lowest respectively. However, the overview is rather vague and misinterprets the data slightly, as Malaysia's trend is steadily upward rather than fluctuating wildly. Furthermore, the body paragraphs contain several inaccurate data points and awkward phrasing, such as claiming Thailand's percentage will 'inclide' and reach 30% in 2040, or misreporting Indonesia's trajectory. Key trends like Malaysia's continuous growth and Indonesia's dramatic rise are captured, but the supporting details suffer from factual confusion and mechanical listing of percentages. This performance aligns with Band 5.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response is organized into four paragraphs, including an introduction and an overall statement. However, the logical progression is hindered by poor cohesion and dense, run-on sentences. Cohesive devices are used mechanically or awkwardly, such as 'To begin with', 'Moreover', and 'Moving toward further details'. Reference words are sometimes ambiguous or missing, leading to choppy and confusing reading flow. For instance, sentences like 'Moreover,the ratio of the population living in Thailand, in 1970 was less than 20% and in 1990 it’s ratio was approximately 20%,whereas in 2010 it’s population percentage was 20%and will inclide and will become 30% in2040' string multiple clauses together poorly. Paragraphing is attempted, but internal cohesion requires better structuring to achieve a higher band. This corresponds to Band 5.0.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is relatively basic and repetitive, relying heavily on words like 'ratio', 'percentage', and 'population'. There are frequent errors in word choice, spelling, and word formation, such as 'lines graph' instead of 'line graph', 'inclide' instead of 'increase', 'skyrocket' used incorrectly as a noun phrase ('the ratio skyrocket and became at'), and 'Philippine’s' instead of 'the Philippines'. While the student attempts some less common vocabulary, the noticeable errors and limited lexical flexibility cause some difficulty for the reader and reflect a Band 5 level of lexical resource.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, but attempts at complex structures are frequently faulty. There are persistent grammatical errors throughout the text, including tense confusion (mixing past and future incorrectly within clauses), missing prepositions, and faulty punctuation or spacing (e.g., '1970to 2020with prediction'). For example, 'the data was fluctuated and became at 35% in 2010, at end in final year it’s ratio will become around 45%' demonstrates poor control over verb forms and clause connection. These frequent errors can cause difficulty for the reader, placing the grammar performance firmly at Band 5.0.

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